Fights that will rock the F1 paddock in 2012

Formula 1 has two battlegrounds – circuit and paddock - with its wars being equally ferocious, whether on- or off-track. The 2012 season is expected to be no different. Dieter Rencken analyses the situation, and predicts the war could erupt at any point, in any country, for a variety of reasons

Forget six world champions together on the grid for the first time ever – the real battles in 2012 will be fought off-track as the sport's three major players – the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM) and the 12 teams collectively – scrap it out behind closed doors in F1's continuing political struggle over its finances and governance.

This year marks the last under the current (2010-2012) Concorde Agreement, the covenant that outlines the obligations of the sport's three primary players, and, if previous negotiations are any indicator, issues are highly unlikely to progress swimmingly.